Saintsfc.co.uk will be bringing you up to date with the real history of Southampton Football Club in a new series of articles compiled by Saints Historian's Dave Juson and Gary Chalk.
Their research and devotion to uncovering every facet of our club's fascinating origins and history will gradually build into an indispensible guided tour of the past that we hope fans, both old and young, will enjoy discovering afresh.
Each article will gradually be archived in the new 'History' section, which can be found by clicking on the 'Club' tab at the top of the page.
Part 1 told the story of Southampton FC's very beginnings...now we actually start winning something!
Chapter 2: Southern League Champions
Saints finally won possession the Hants FA Senior Cup in 1895, but the news was buried by the success of the Southern League's inaugural season.
It was on the initiative of Millwall Athletic that the new league was formed. Clubs in and around London were outgrowing amateur football, but had no way of competing seriously in the FA Cup with the clubs of the Football League without the income that could be raised from regular competitive fixtures.
The Saints' original application to join had been turned-down, but there was a change of heart after the 2nd Scots Guards were compelled to withdraw. The Saints embarked on the new season with a new name, they would henceforth be known as Southampton St. Mary's.
They finished third in 1895 and 1896, on both occasions behind Millwall and Reading. The acquisition of more professional players resulted in improved Cup form.
Saints reached the First Round in both those seasons. They were defeated convincingly in 1895: 4-1 by Nottingham Forest at the Antelope Ground, but the following term they surprised Sheffield Wednesday before another thrilled home crowd, losing by the odd goal in five.
Saints' ability to learn from setbacks was amply demonstrated during the summer of 1894, with the signing of three of the Stoke team that had defeated them 8-0 in 1893.
The following summer they added Stoke's trainer "Dr" Bill Dawson to the staff and signed Jack Farrell, "Chippy" Naughton and Sam Meston. Stoke were one of three clubs that complained about Saints transfer activities. The FA fined them and compensations were levied with committeeman Alfred McMinn suspended for a year.
In the summer 1896 the Saints were compelled to leave the Antelope Ground, which had been obtained by property developers, and took up a short residence at the County Cricket Ground.
Southampton St. Mary's won the Southern League championship undefeated in 1897, and made it to the 2nd Round proper of the FA Cup; defeated in a replay by Newton Heath, a win that diminished the Manchester club's reputation rather than enhanced it in the south.
With the season successfully concluded, the members of Southampton St. Mary's FC voted to turn the club into limited liability company, and it was announced that land had been purchased and plans were underway to build a football ground.
This was sensational news in the city. One year on, Southampton would be a national sensation...
To be continued...
